[Assassin Town] had been in total chaos for days. The global spotlight on Count Kahla’s Isolation Wall and its battle against the massive monster was to blame.

– "They’re coming from Hitahita to report this?? Holy..."

– "Khan Federation’s central news just ran a story on Count Kahla??"

– "He showed up on Kreutz public broadcast too LOL"

Not just foreign nations—

Even the Empire’s main news networks, watched continent-wide, were broadcasting coverage day and night.

– "Another Empire special just dropped analyzing Count Kahla’s tactics. Crazy."

To the typically insular Hiaka, the Empire was a land of envy—an elite stage populated by the superior.

But now?

For several days straight, that stage had been showering praise... for a commander from Hiaka.

– "LMAO real-time Empire central news brought on ‘Struggle Starж’ to praise the tactical commander of Count Kahla!"

└ "Wait, that’s real? What the hell 😂😂😂"

└ "Can’t believe I lived to see this day LOL"

And so now—even the assassins, long numb to death and grief, had been swept into a festival mood.

– "YEEEAAAH!! Long live Hiaka!!"

└ "May Hiaka be eternal!!"

– "Apparently that person was a senior professor from Hiaka Academy."

└ "Damn lmao~"

└ "Wave that flag! LOL~"

– "Sorry, but is this the country of the god of war?"

└ "Show some respect."

└ "Please remove your shoes before entering."

– "Guess I can live with some pride now."

└ "Why?"

└ "Because I’m a Hiakan—the proud citizen of the genius war god nation."

└ "You lunatic LMAO"

– "If you’re a Kreutz spy and sweating right now, hit Like 😂😂😂😂😂😂"

└ "I’m a spy and I liked it 😭"

└ "I’m crying too †ㅅ† 😭😭😭"

– "Breaking: Batalion transferring to the Empire"

└ "Yo what the— I thought that was real for a second 😂😂😂"

└ "This is insane LOL"

└ "Honestly, that guy would totally do it fr 😂😂😂"

– "Is the Empire afraid of Hiaka’s rise? Is the Empire afraid of Hiaka’s rise? Is the Empire afraid of Hiaka’s rise? Is the Empire afraid of Hiaka’s rise?"

– "But like, that war sim—900 casualties makes no sense. How the hell did they pull that off?"

└ "Still nothing official from the House of Kahla?"

└ "Yeah, even the Empire and Royal House don’t know."

– "Wait, 10 minutes ago the Imperial Palace issued another statement??"

└ "It’s real. What the hell."

└ "‘Asking for the name of the god of war.’ Oof 😂😂"

└ "The Emperor just officially called them a ‘war god’ LOL"

└ "Empire’s only made 2 public search announcements in the last decade—and one of them is for a Hiakan??"

Every day brought new memes, new dopamine.

But that high only lasted a day or two.

By the third day, articles started dropping with titles like “Certain Constellations Departing Their Nests”—and in info-sensitive [Assassin Town], strange speculations started to bubble up.

– "...Hey, doesn’t it feel like the reaction’s gone beyond hype and into full-on combustion?"

└ "Yeah... I mean, it’s great a Hiakan’s getting famous, but knowing the Empire’s style..."

└ "It feels... off. Like, maybe we shouldn’t be laughing."

Anyone who knows the Empire—

Knows exactly how they work.

If they want something,

They get it.

└ "...Isn’t this situation kinda... dangerous?"

***

It was right after the [Barrier of Quarantine] was lifted. Suddenly, more than 500 unfamiliar assassins and knights poured into Count Kahla’s territory. Then, having forced their way in, they blocked off Count Kahla’s domain once more.

Their numbers weren’t overwhelming, but each one of them looked powerful.

Count Kahla reacted as if someone had dropped a crocodile between his legs. He was terrified—because he had no idea who had shown up.

Fortunately, they weren’t enemies. They were people sent from Hiaka Academy.

The Royal Family and Hiaka Academy had come to protect Count Kahla’s territory.

And so now, Shaman and Ezekiel asked me in the infirmary:

"You, right? The God of War."

"No, I’m not."

"......"

"......"

"......"

"...Yes, I am."

After hearing the gist of the situation, Shaman’s eyes started trembling like they were about to flip inside out.

"Dante Hiakapo."

"...Yes."

"Do you remember how many days it’s been since you almost got beaten to death by a Royal Knight?"

"......"

"And I went out of my way to save your sorry ass, and now you’re about to die all over again in a place you have no connection to? Are you seriously that eager to die, kid?"

"......W-Well, I was just—"

"......"

Shaman tilted his head diagonally like a baker who’d just had 200 Jean Valjeans pass through his shop and snapped. ‘Creak, crack—’ It was terrifying.

"......"

I quietly avoided his eyes. Before Shaman could lunge and strangle me, Ezekiel quickly cut in with the conclusion.

"Let’s skip the details for now and cut to the chase. You’ll need to create another alias."

"...Like Chief Professor Cain?"

"Exactly. You’re drawing way more attention right now than the Christmas Tree in Zone 9—several times more, in fact."

"......"

"There’s already a royal notice. No one knows who the one behind the Dungeon of the Constellation Competitiveness↑ is, so the Royal Family can’t move. But it’s already been confirmed that it’s located in Count Kahla’s territory."

I nodded. It was within expectations.

The United States, self-proclaimed global police, had once delivered democracy to the Middle East the moment they saw oil.

—Here, receive freedom and equality! (missile strike)

Of course, the Hattengraj Empire wasn’t the United States, and my own value wasn’t quite on par with oil—yet. But there was still plenty of reason to be cautious.

"Understood. As a tactics professor, as an old man, I’ll create another doppelgänger."

After sending the two of them off, I created a new [Doppelgänger]. This time, it was an old man. For reference, I mixed Galois and Moong.

In my opinion, an elderly man dressed sharply had a kind of ageless charm that transcended age and gender.

‘The form is fine. Next is the name.’

The first one is Cain.

For some reason...

I thought maybe the second could be Abel... but then I hesitated.

‘...He’d get stoned to death by his brother.’

Of course, that was just from Genesis. This was inside a game, so it had no real relation. Still, it felt too ominous.

So, just to be safe, I summoned [Chief Cain].

The boy appeared with his back to me, slowly turned, and noticed me.

Then, with a sluggish little smile, he greeted me.

"...Hello."

Then he saw my bandages and his eyes widened. ‘......?’ As if to ask what happened. His round eyes were filled with concern.

"I’m fine. More importantly, Chief Cain."

"Yes...?"

"You’re going to have a younger brother soon. His name is Abel. What do you think about that?"

"......?"

Cain tilted his head, then smiled.

"I like it..."

I had my brother’s blessing.

Even so, ‘Abel’ still felt off. So I named him Abeltus (for some reason, it sounded like a war god).

Compared to Cain, Abeltus had a larger body. I could insert more formulas and memories into him.

Complete.

"Raise your head, God of War Abeltus."

I pressed the power button.

The white-haired, white-bearded old man, who had been kneeling with his head bowed, slowly lifted his head.

"I greet you, my lord."

His eyes carried weight, his expression sharp. He gave off the aura of a man who had thrown away his own life to protect his family and country on the frontlines of humanity.

"You are this old one’s master. I was born into this world with a singular mission from my noble lord. I shall devote my ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) breath beneath your feet."

I was satisfied.

Until—

"Hereafter, I, Abeltus, shall place foolish humanity under your dominion."

"...What?"

"They are like a flock of lost sheep. Crude humans who revel only in conflict and division must follow your command. My lord."

Uh-oh.

That dialogue was off.

Then I remembered—I’d inserted a formula telling him to "move toward the direction of earning Star Fragments."

‘Ah. The Stigma of Peaceful Nature☮ gave the most Star Fragments, didn’t it.’

So his core thought process had been aligned with Peaceful Nature☮ affinity.

Of course, nothing screams misanthropy like Peaceful Nature☮.

"Abeltus."

"Yes."

"Avoid saying things like that in front of others."

"Of course, my lord."

Afterward, I had Cain and Abeltus meet briefly. Cain said, ‘...Younger brother?’ and smiled gleefully. The old man simply took it in stride and didn’t react much.

"...Can I draw on this?"

"What? Oh. Go ahead."

Cain began doodling on my bandages with a felt-tip pen. The old man followed, neatly writing something in calligraphic script.

That was the scene of my Doppelgаngers No.1 and No.2.

– Ezekiel: Soon, the heroes of Count Kahla’s territory will need to visit the Royal Family.

That’s when Ezekiel contacted me with shocking news.

– Dante: Is this for recognition and reward?

– Ezekiel: Exactly.

Recognition and reward.

Where achievements are recognized and rewards are given.

– Ezekiel: Also, His Majesty wants to see you directly. He wants to hear what happened.

– Ezekiel: The targets are the God of War, you, Eymon, Moong, Glory, and Count Kahla—six in total.

– Ezekiel: You had to go eventually anyway. Just think of it as moving up the schedule.

I said okay and ended the communication.

I had to move quickly. After that, I informed Moong and Eymon of the situation, and we coordinated our stories to claim that a fake supreme commander called ‘Abeltus’ had existed.

Moong nodded obediently.

Eymon, on the other hand, questioned it.

"It’s a good idea, but will the other commanders keep their mouths shut and go along like we did? If the Empire starts digging, someone will eventually talk."

That there was no such commander as Abeltus.

"I have a way."

"What is it?"

[Memory Forgery].

I went to the key commanders and forged their memories. Made them recall that there had been a supreme commander during the war.

"Abeltus... he was our general..."

"Indeed."

By the time I’d finished all that, another day had passed.

I felt exhausted.

At this point, I didn’t care about Kahla or the Erosion—I just wanted to go home and look at the elephant.

‘Geez.’

I don’t know how I got to the point where I missed that damned demon species.

...Not that it’s precious or anything. Definitely not.

It’s always a mess, and it looks kind of pitiful chewing on dandelions or acorns or whatever.

But I’d looked into it before, and it wasn’t impossible to bring one back from Star-Watching Mountain.

Could dress it in people clothes. Feed it something tasty. Maybe even lay down a mattress in its cave.

Honestly, I don’t care if a demon eats weeds or sleeps on bare ground... but maybe I still felt bad about stabbing it that one time.

Still, I had a lot to take care of. I had to settle everything after the war. I also needed to meet with the Dante Assassination Unit and Kaiser, who were still working outside. And I needed to check in with the Hero.

‘Let’s start with the accounting, then.’

Back in the infirmary, I decided to slowly sort through what I’d gained and lost in this war.

‘I earned a total of 300 Star Fragments.’

I’d thought I’d have to suck my fingers for a few months again using up all my Stigmas.

But for some reason, I’d gotten a massive influx of sponsorship.

Fifty from killing Bomiteka.

Two hundred fifty from donations.

But a donation of 250 Star Fragments in one go was the kind of thing that only happened in the late game.

How had it happened now?

‘I don’t get it. Strange.’

Still, a good thing is a good thing.

Next were the following three items:

＊ 「Lucky Box of Fortunes□」 [Rare]

＊ 「Lucky Box of Fortunes□」 [Heroic]

＊ 「Lucky Box of Fortunes□」 [Legendary]

I pulled them from my inventory and placed them on my bandaged hand. Ran, standing nearby, blinked.

"Stigma Lucky Boxes?"

"Yes."

One of the sweetest rewards granted by the Stars.

When opened, these boxes can contain gear, accessories, or consumables bearing a [Stigma].

As you know, equipment with [Stigma] is worth at least three times—and up to thirty times—more than normal gear.

And I had three of them.

One of them was even a [Legendary] Lucky Box.

"Are you going to open them now?"

"Of course."

"How exciting."

Ran said this in a completely expressionless tone.

It really didn’t sound exciting at all.

"I’m excited too."

I said, then looked in the mirror. My expression looked just like Ran’s.

So here we were—two people saying we were excited while wearing totally dead faces.

Still, facial expression aside, I was genuinely excited. I hoped something good would come out.

"Should we wash first?"

"Solemnly?"

"Exactly."

"I’ll fetch some water and bow before the ritual."

We did our chores without emotion and gathered again.

Kneeling in front of the boxes.

Would you like to open the 「[Rare] Lucky Box□」?

What would come out?

***

— ⧉'s Great Chatroom Moderation Log —

☮ wishes to donate 1,000 Star Fragments.

≪ ⧉ rejects it. Reason: Balance Violation ≫

☮: ㅇㅁㅇ? ㅡㅅㅡ?? -ㅁ-?

☮ wishes to donate 999 Star Fragments.

≪ ⧉ rejects it. Reason: Balance Violation ≫

☮: ㅇㅁㅇ,, ㅡㅅㅡ,, -ㅁ-,,

— As Dante Hiakapo fights Bomiteka, the jaw touched by the Stigma of Light refuses to regenerate. —

⚉ watches the scene and clicks their tongue at †.

†: ?

⚉ says this is why †, the current "Crucifix Constellation†," is such a disappointing human being—recklessly wasting Stigmas like that. They advise † to be more cautious.

† smirks.

† scoffs and says they can’t even hear the words of a low-ranking "Black Star⚉" like them—it’s too far beneath notice.

⚉: ?

⚉ is quite offended. They were trying to offer advice. Also, the ranking difference is only two spots: 9th vs 7th. Plus, this incident will make †’s ranking drop.

† laughs again.

† claims that even if their constellation rank drops, they could still kill a "Black Star⚉" like it’s nothing.

⚉: ?

⚉ wants to fight.

☮ tries to break it up.

⁺₊⋆ tries to break it up.

♥ also hurriedly tries to stop them.

↑ and ж are deeply entertained.

│ㅅㅇ) also tries to stop the fight.

But │ㅅㅇ) adds that they’re honestly curious whether † could really win even with a lower rank.

⚉ says that’s absurd.

† says of course they could.

⚉ starts spouting emotionally charged profanity.

† also gets angry. The atmosphere turns violent.

≪ ⧉ attempts to calm the fight. ≫

│ㅂㅇ) is terrified.

│ㅂㅇ) hopes everyone would stop fighting.

But │ㅂㅇ) also thinks—if the matchup is favorable, you could win regardless of rank...

≪ ⧉ has expelled │ㅁㅇ). ≫

⁺₊⋆ and ♥ criticize ⚉, pointing out that it was ⚉ who picked a fight with † for no reason.

† agrees.

≪ ⧉ attempts to calm the fight. ≫

⚉: ???

⚉ is dumbfounded. The good-aligned stars have ganged up 3:1 and are bullying them.

≪ ⧉ attempts to calm the fight. ≫

† asks if they’re scared.

⚉ gets angrier.

⁺₊⋆ and ♥ say honestly, it’s ⚉’s fault. They should just admit it.

† agrees.

⚉: "......"

An enraged ⚉ activates their Authority.

■■■■ ■■ ■■■ ■■■ ■■■■■ ■

†: ? ■

† responds with ■■ ■■■ ■■ ■■■■

⁺₊⋆: ■■ ■■■■■ ■

♥: ■■

☮: ■■

■■■■■■ ■ ■■ ■■■ ■■■■■ ■

■■ ■■ ■■■■ ■■■ ■ ■ ■ ■

■■■ ■■■■■■ ■■■■■■■■ ■■■■■

■■■■■■■■■

■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■

≪ ⧉ has expelled ⚉. ≫

†, ⁺₊⋆, ♥: ROFL ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

≪ ⧉ has expelled †, ⁺₊⋆, ♥. ≫

Fire thinks this is a complete disaster!!

ж clicks their tongue.

↑ sighs.

☮ wishes to donate 000,000 Star Fragments.

⧉: ??

⧉ thinks hard—it’s a cutoff number. In other words, they mean to donate 1 million.

☮: ㅇㅂㅇ? ㅇㅁㅇ;; ㅇㅂㅇa;?

☮ says they’re not really sure and the three of them start mumbling while looking at each other...

≪ ⧉ has expelled ☮. ≫

— END of ⧉’s Great Chatroom Moderation Log —